Apparatus used for the sterilizing of toothbrushes and similar articles



.Dec. 15,1925. 1,565,684 v. J. M. THESEE APPARATUS USED FOR THE STERILIZING OF TOOTHBRUSHES AND SIMILAR ARTICLES Fil ed May 21, 1 923 f fsg Patented Dec. 15, 1925. V

UNITED STATES 1,565,684 PATENT OFFICE.

vro'ron JULIEN MARIE rnnsnn, or BREST, FRANCE.

APPARATUS USED FOR. THE STEBILIZING OF TOOTHBRUSHES AND SIMILAR ARTICLES.

Application filed May 21, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Vroron JULIEN ATARIE. Tl-n'isiin, citizen of the French Republic, residing at Brest, Department of the Finistere, in France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus Used for the sterilizing of Toothbrushes and Similar Articles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has, for its object, a new device or apparatus to be used for the sterilizing of tooth-brushes and similar articles.

The said apparatus belongs to the type for sterilization with a small box containing a sterilizing matter giving off vapours; its particular feature being, on the other hand, due to the particular qualities of the chosen material used for its construction.

In the particular case of sterilizing toothbrushes, practice has proved that it is very advantageous to shorten as much as possible the time limit necessary for a complete sterilization, in order to allow the use of the brush several times in a day in a perfect sterilizing state. The new device takes this fact into consideration by the improvement of conditions under which it operates, and modifications made to the sterilizing substance itself as well as to the envelope in which the brush to be treated is placed.

As far as the sterilizing substance is concerned, trioxymethylene is generally used, with an addition of an equal quantity of soda-tungstate for it has been found that the latter activates the known properties of the former. It acts at the same time as an exciter and regulator, practice having demonstrated that the length of the operation is reduced with said mixture in the ratio of 5 to 1 compared with the use of the trioxymethylene alone.

Besides it has been proved that it is advantageous to add a certain quantity of vegetable essence, such as orange essence, or thyme essence, which, on account of the fact that they themselves possess sterilizing qualities, add their action to that of the trioxymethylene exhalations. Furthermore, they offer the advantage of diminishing the disagreeable smell of the formic aldehyde.

account of its composition, it has the prop- Serial No. 640,469.

erty of being, more than any other, permeable to the ultraviolet coloured rays of natural light. The envelope obtained by such a glass,'further presents characteristic lines of longitudinal groovings, for the purpose of increasing the diffusion of the light I of glass, free from any lead compounds and which shows in its cross section the form indicated on Figure 2. This form is polygonal with a relatively wide side or wall for the back of the brush 2 forming a support when the case is lying in a horizontal position the opposite 'wall or side being slightly convexed for embracing the bristles of the brush while the remaining relatively narrow portions are slightly concave; The prismatic body of special shape thus obtained offers the most advantageous form as regards the diffusion of light in the interior of the envelope. The brush 2 is placed in the inside of the tube 1 present ing at both ends openings 3 and 4. Opening 3 is provided with a cap 3 made of metal or another substance and provided with perforations. At opening 4 is placed a cap 4 also perforated. Cap 4 itself is covered with a cap 5, the bottom of which is closed and the dimensions of which are such that a space 6 is left between the two parts into which the sterilizing substance is introduced. The latter is placed in the interior of a small metal box 7, the lid 8 of which is pierced with small holes.

The substance contained in the box 8 is mixture, the proportions of which are liable to pretty large variations of trioxymethylene, soda-tungstate and vegetable essence (orange essence, thyme essence, etc.), having in itself distinct sterilizing qualities. This mixture causes exhalations which penetrating through the holes of the lid 8 spread in the envelope 1. The surplus, as

well as the exhalations caused by the moisture of the brush, penetrate through the holes of the lid 3 Owing to the conditions described above, the new apparatus ensures the complete sterilization within a few hours, the reinforced action of the trioxymethylene being increased by the diffusion of the ultraviolet rays, due to the special formation of the envelope 1.

The sterilizing substance being contained is movable boxes or capsules renders it easy to change as soon as it is used up. Nevertheless this disposal necessitates a little precaution. The lid of the box containing the sterilizing matter being perforated, the evaporation outside of the apparatus must be avoided. For this purpose, the box is wrapped up, until the time it is used, in a very air-tight pellicle of transparent and impermeable cellulose, such as the product known under the name of cellophano.

The advantages of the apparatus above described have been indicated herein; the chief feature consists in the speed of the sterilization which takes place in a few hours, thus permitting the brush to be used after every meal, and so ensuring the use of a perfectly antiseptic instrument.

Claim:

A sterilizer for tooth brushes including an open ended hollow prismatic body of polygonal shape in cross section formed of glass free from lead, one of the walls of the body being relatively wide and fiat to serve as a support when the body is in a horizontal position and the opposite wall being of convexed formation while the remaining portions are concaved, the ends of the body being annular, perforated caps for removably closing the ends of the body, a second cap arrangedin spaced relation to and engaged by one of the first men tioned caps, and a relatively small sterilizing substance containing vessel arranged in the space between the last mentioned caps and having a perforated'cover, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

VICTOR JULIEN MARIE THESEE. 

